Calera zoning administrator addresses online data center concerns
The City of Calera, Alabama, is addressing community concerns and misinformation circulating online regarding potential data center developments. Calera Zoning Administrator Kevin Shirey clarified that data centers are not currently permitted under existing zoning ordinances and any changes would require public involvement and approval from the planning commission and city council. City officials have stated there have been no discussions about adding data centers in Calera.
The city of Calera, Alabama, is responding to confusion and questions among its residents regarding potential data center developments, which have been fueled by an AI-generated post circulating on Facebook.
Kevin Shirey, Calera's Zoning Administrator, addressed these concerns, stating that such posts disseminate misinformation and misrepresent the city's intentions. Shirey assured the public that no data center would be built without significant public involvement, emphasizing that data centers are not explicitly permitted under the city's current zoning regulations. He noted they would be classified as an 'unclassified use' and any amendment to the zoning ordinance would necessitate approval from both the planning commission and the city council, with all meetings open to the public.
The administrator mentioned that he has received numerous inquiries, partly due to previous discussions about data centers in nearby Shelby County, where DigiPowerX is working on a facility in Columbiana. Calera officials reiterated that there have been no active discussions within the city about introducing data centers. Shirey encouraged residents to contact the city directly with any questions, contrasting Calera's approach with reports from other cities where residents expressed concerns about a lack of transparency.